BLAYDON’S battling qualities will be put to the test today when they try to banish the memories of last week’s defeat by the champions which toppled them off their early-season perch at the head of the table.

They should prove too strong for visiting Gateshead Fell, who are only two points above the bottom spot. However a midweek stumble to Wellstream Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League side Annfield Plain in the Tyneside Charity Bowl, following quickly on the back of two successive league defeats, has left question marks over their ability to last the searing pace Chester-le-Street will undoubtedly set from now on.

While Graeme Bridge remains sidelined by injury there is some good news for Blaydon with the return of seamer Craig Simpson after seven weeks out with an ankle problem.

He comes in for the unavailable Martin Pollard and, with Chris Varley also missing, Ross Nicholson steps up.

The Fell bring in Richie Steele and Ross Beeson for Stephen Devenport and Johnny Roseby.

South North could well be over the surprising run of form which saw them lose three consecutive games.

They have followed that with two wins and, with a full-strength side in the field, will be looking to continue in the same vein when their neighbours from across the city, Benwell Hill, call in this morning.

Hill have one or two problems with skipper Ali Maiden away at a wedding and Phil Nicholson likely to be sidelined for another month or so following complications with the displaced fracture of the finger suffered on Minor Counties duty.

On the positive side they hope to have ex-Durham CCC captain Will Smith back after his successful spell of county duty now the Dynamos’ T20 season has started.

Newcastle continue their quest for glory at Tynemouth.

Unbeaten so far, the Jesmond outfit are in fourth place, just five points behind Benwell.

They are able to strengthen an already strong unit with the selection of Ross McLaren, Martin Fearon and Ben Langrope.

Their hosts have lost skipper Barry Stewart to injury, so Ben Debnam will captain the side in his absence.

Ross Willett is another player missing, so Phil Morse and Nick Amrstrong are handed opportunities.

South Shields have yet to record a victory but have reeled Gateshead in to just two points now after clawing 14 points back on them in the last two weeks.

Their visitors today are the Durham Academy whose batsmen were in brilliant form last time out, with Rami Singh notching up his second consecutive century.

There will be much interest to see whether he can record a rather special hat-trick.

Hetton Lyons will have to cope without Nick Jones in their home game against Sunderland.

The Aussie has had to return home after failing to shake off his back problem.

The Wearsiders are able to include Michael Turns upon his return from university.

In today’s final game Andrew Bell replaces Liam Simpson in the Cestrians’ line-up at Stockton.